Album Review: "Living in the Gap & Hungarian Pictures" by Mandoki Soulmates (8/10)

Distributed by: Purple Pyramid/Cleopatra Records

Producer: Leslie Mandoki

Leslie Mandoki is a veteran producer-arranger-composer who is affectionately described as the “Hungarian Quincy Jones.” He has been putting super-groups together for his epic recordings since the early ‘90s. This latest double album merges the cream of jazz, rock, fusion and pop. The music centers on themes of global unity and societal change. “Old Rebels,” “I’m Not Your Enemy,” and “The Torch” span the gamut from mid-tempo serene to symphonic and grandiose. Guest artists include Al Dimeola, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, David Clayton-Thomas and Ian Anderson.